Recanalization of a Heavily Calcified Chronic Total Occlusion in a Femoropopliteal Artery Using a Wingman Crossing Catheter

Investigation of the Feasibility and Safety of a Highly Intensive Penetration Technique for Recanalization in Severe Calcified Femoropopliteal Occlusive Lesions: A Retrospective Observational Study

Background and Aims

When dealing with severely calcified lesions in endovascular therapy (EVT) for lower extremity artery disease (LEAD), navigating through severely calcified chronic total occlusion (CTO) using hard-tip guidewires can be challenging. To address this issue, we employed a novel highly intensive penetration (HIP) technique. This technique involves modifying the tail of a 0.035-inch guidewire to enhance its penetration capability, thus enabling effective navigation through the calcified lesion and facilitating the EVT procedure. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of the HIP technique.

Methods

This single-center, retrospective study enrolled 27 consecutive patients (29 limbs) who underwent the HIP technique for the recanalization of calcified femoropopliteal CTO lesions that were resistant to penetration by high-tip load (≧ 40 g) guidewires between January 2015 and April 2023. Statistical analyses were performed using JMP 13 software.

Results

The mean patient age was 75.9 ± 10.1 years. The proportion of men, patients with hypertension, patients with diabetes mellitus, and patients on hemodialysis was 78%, 59%, 41%, and 44%, respectively. The crossover approach was selected for 55% of the patients. The reference vessel diameter was 5.3 ± 0.6 mm, and the lesion length was 19.7 ± 12.0 cm. The target lesions were predominantly located in the superficial femoral artery (76%). In-stent occlusion was treated in 14% of patients. The HIP technique was successfully performed in 79% of patients, and the complication rate of vascular perforation was 7%.

Conclusion

The HIP technique demonstrates remarkable effectiveness in navigating through highly calcified lesions, offering a reliable method for successful recanalization in challenging cases.

JETWING technique: Combination therapy of JETSTREAMⓇ and aggressive wire recanalization in calcified atheroma and dilatation technique for eccentric heavy calcified plaques using WINGMAN for insertion of protection wire

Although endovascular treatment (EVT) has developed and still progressing, calcified lesions remain a big challenge to operators in obtaining good results. Whenever, the eccentric and calcified plaques or nodules are present, balloon dilatation may be difficult and vascular complications may frequently occur. We present a 73-year-old woman, with severe, eccentric, calcified lesion in the right superficial femoral artery (SFA). First, we performed the aggressive wire recanalization in calcified atheroma and dilatation (ARCADIA) technique for the eccentric plaques. Then, we used a WingmanⓇ crossing catheter (ReFlow Medical, Inc.) to penetrate and pass through the calcifications and eventually exchanged to a ParachuteⓇ (Good Care, Inc.) filter wire. Finally, we performed rotational atherectomy using the JETSTREAMⓇ (Boston Scientific) rotational atherectomy device for debulking to obtain good lesion expansion and was able to avoid potential complications. Performing ARCADIA technique then using a Wingman catheter for inserting a filter wire before JETSTREAMⓇ atherectomy is safe and effective for heavily calcified, eccentric lesions. Further studies will be needed to validate the safety and efficacy of this approach.

An Endovascular Strategy for Occlusion or Stenosis with Severe Calcification in the Non-Stenting Zone, creatinG Lumens And SlitS with Crosser in Unique Technique (GLASS CUT): A Case Report

In treating non-stenting zones (NSZs), such as the common femoral artery (CFA) and popliteal artery (PA), the best method to treat severely calcified NSZ lesions remains controversial. Here we describe a new method for the treatment of severely calcified PA and CFA lesions using the Crosser® system (CS). After the first wire passed the lesion, the CS was passed through the other wire to create new cracks and lumens (NCAL) in both cases. After creating NCAL around the lumen of the first wire, a large scoring balloon was inflated to crush the severe calcification like a "GLASS CUT" with a glass knife.